The aftermath of the recent Soweto Derby has sparked a heated debate regarding the identity and direction of Kaizer Chiefs. While many fans were relieved to see Amakhosi secure a 1-1 draw and end their losing streak against Orlando Pirates, club legend Tsepo Masilela has issued a stinging critique of the team’s tactical setup.
According to the former Bafana Bafana left-back, the defensive posture adopted at FNB Stadium didn’t just earn a point—it exposed a worrying “quality gap” and a lack of belief within the Naturena camp.
The “Safety First” Approach
Co-coaches Khalil Ben Youssef and Cedric Kaze opted for a cautious strategy, deploying two defensive midfielders to anchor the center of the pitch. This was a direct response to the bruising 3-0 defeat Chiefs suffered in the previous derby in February.
However, Masilela argues that this “playing not to lose” mentality is beneath the standards of a giant like Chiefs.
“It shows that the gap between the two is huge. We are playing for a draw,” Masilela told Soccerbeat. “The approach alone shows the gap—being scared of Pirates and being afraid of losing.”
Questioning the Team Sheet
The most controversial aspect of the tactical plan was the decision to bench some of the club’s most potent attacking threats. Masilela highlighted two specific names that he felt should have led the line:
- Flavio Silva: The primary attacking force whose presence forces opposition defenders onto the back foot.
- Mduduzi Shabalala: A creative spark capable of breaking down organized defenses with individual brilliance.
“How do you bench players like Flavio and Mdu? Those guys are a real threat going forward,” Masilela added, suggesting that their exclusion sent a message of surrender before the whistle even blew.
Is It Sustainable?
The legend’s critique extended beyond a single match, questioning the long-term viability of the current project. He challenged the hierarchy to consider whether a squad and coaching staff that approaches big games with such “fear” can realistically compete for the Betway Premiership title next season.
This sentiment was surprisingly shared by the opposition; Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou also questioned why a club as big as Chiefs was celebrating a stalemate, further fueling the fire of the “small team mentality” debate.
